When it comes to ultra-portable Bluetooth speakers, two popular options stand out in 2024: the <a href="">Marshall Willen ($59.99) and the <a href="">JBL Go 4 ($44.00). Let's dive deep into how these compact audio companions compare and which might be the better choice for your needs.
Portable Bluetooth speakers need to balance multiple competing priorities. They must deliver good sound while being small enough to carry easily, survive outdoor adventures while looking stylish enough for indoor use, and maintain battery life while pushing enough power to be heard clearly. It's a challenging set of requirements that manufacturers approach differently.
The <a href="">Marshall Willen launched in May 2022, bringing Marshall's iconic amp styling to the ultra-portable segment. The <a href="">JBL Go 4 arrived more recently in 2023, updating the popular Go series with modern features and improved sound. Both represent different philosophies in solving the portable speaker challenge.
The Willen uses a single 2-inch driver paired with two passive radiators (these are unpowered speakers that move with the air pressure from the main driver, helping to enhance bass response). This configuration, combined with 10W of power, delivers surprisingly full sound for its size. The emphasis is on clarity and balance rather than overwhelming bass.
In practice, this means the Willen excels with vocal-heavy music, acoustic performances, and genres where midrange clarity matters most. Think folk music, jazz, classical, and rock where you want to hear each instrument distinctly. The trade-off is less dramatic bass impact compared to some competitors.
JBL took a different route with the Go 4, using a single 45mm driver (about 1.75 inches) and 4.2W of power, but tuning it for their signature sound profile that emphasizes punchy bass. While it can't match the Willen's overall volume or clarity, it delivers an engaging sound that works well for modern popular music genres like hip-hop and electronic dance music.
The Go 4's frequency response starts at 90Hz (higher frequencies mean less deep bass) compared to what seems to be a lower range on the Willen, but JBL's tuning makes the most of what's there. It's impressive engineering in an even smaller package.
Both speakers feature IP67 water and dust resistance (meaning they can be submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes), but their physical designs couldn't be more different.
The <a href="">Marshall Willen embraces its heritage with a design that mimics Marshall's famous guitar amps, complete with textured black covering and brass details. It's larger at 101.6 x 100.5 x 40.4 mm and heavier at 310g, but the flat design is stable on surfaces. The rubberized back strap adds versatility for mounting.
The <a href="">JBL Go 4 goes minimal and modern at 94.3 x 75.7 x 42.2 mm and just 190g. It's truly pocket-sized and comes in seven different colors. The compact design makes it more portable but also means it can be knocked over more easily.
This is where the price difference becomes more apparent. The Willen offers 15+ hours of playback and includes quick charging that provides 3 hours of play from a 20-minute charge. That's impressive for the size and helps justify the higher price point.
The Go 4 manages 7 hours normally, with an interesting "Playtime Boost" feature that can extend this to 9 hours by optimizing performance. Both speakers charge via USB-C in about 3 hours, which is standard for the category.
After extensive testing, here's how they compare in everyday situations:
The Willen's stable design and longer battery life make it excellent for desktop use. The more balanced sound profile works well for background music while working.
Both handle the elements equally well, but the Go 4's smaller size makes it more convenient for hiking or beach trips. The Willen's extra volume is beneficial in outdoor spaces.
The Go 4's smaller size wins for travel, fitting easily in bag pockets. The Willen's better battery life means less charging on long trips.
Neither speaker is ideal for home theater use, but the Willen's Stack Mode could create an interesting portable surround setup with multiple units. The Go 4's PartyBoost is more focused on stereo pairs.
Choose the <a href="">Marshall Willen if:
Choose the <a href="">JBL Go 4 if:
The Marshall Willen hasn't seen significant updates since its 2022 release, but its Stack Mode feature has become more useful as more units enter the market. The JBL Go 4's newer Bluetooth 5.3 and Auracast support show more recent innovation, potentially offering better future-proofing.
Both speakers represent excellent engineering in the ultra-portable category. The <a href="">Marshall Willen offers better overall performance and features at a premium price, while the <a href="">JBL Go 4 delivers impressive value in a smaller package.
For most users, the decision will come down to size versus performance. If you can accommodate the larger size and higher price, the Willen offers noticeably better sound quality and battery life. If maximum portability or saving money is your priority, the Go 4 is an excellent choice that doesn't sacrifice too much performance for its size advantage.
Remember that both speakers excel at their intended use - personal listening in various environments - and neither should be expected to fill large spaces with sound. They represent different approaches to the same challenge, and both succeed in their own ways.
| Marshall Willen | JBL Go 4 |
|---|---|
| Price - Key consideration for value assessment | |
| $59.99 (premium pricing) | $44.00 (budget-friendly) |
| Power Output - Affects maximum volume and sound clarity | |
| 10W RMS (louder, clearer at high volumes) | 4.2W RMS (adequate for personal listening) |
| Battery Life - Critical for portable use | |
| 15+ hours (excellent for extended use) | 7-9 hours with Playtime Boost (adequate for daily use) |
| Size & Weight - Impacts portability | |
| 101.6 x 100.5 x 40.4 mm, 310g (larger but stable) | 94.3 x 75.7 x 42.2 mm, 190g (truly pocket-sized) |
| Driver Configuration - Determines sound quality | |
| 2" driver + 2 passive radiators (better clarity) | Single 1.75" driver (emphasized bass) |
| Bluetooth Version - Affects connection quality | |
| Bluetooth 5.1 (reliable connection) | Bluetooth 5.3 (newest tech, better range) |
| Water Resistance - Important for outdoor use | |
| IP67 (fully waterproof) | IP67 (fully waterproof) |
| Special Features - Adds functionality | |
| Stack Mode, app EQ, quick charge | PartyBoost, Auracast, Playtime Boost |
| Charging Time - Convenience factor | |
| 3 hours full charge, 20min quick charge for 3hrs play | 3 hours full charge |
| Multi-device Connection - Flexibility in use | |
| Connects to 2 devices simultaneously | Single device connection |
| Sound Profile - Matches different music preferences | |
| Balanced, emphasis on clarity and mids | Bass-forward, energetic signature sound |
The Marshall Willen ($59.99) offers better overall sound quality and battery life, while the JBL Go 4 ($44.00) provides better portability and value. The Willen is better if sound quality is your priority, while the Go 4 is better if you need maximum portability.
The Marshall Willen costs $59.99, while the JBL Go 4 is priced at $44.00, making it $15.99 less expensive.
The Marshall Willen offers significantly better battery life at 15+ hours, compared to the JBL Go 4 which provides 7-9 hours with Playtime Boost enabled.
Yes, both the Marshall Willen and JBL Go 4 feature IP67 water resistance, meaning they can be submerged in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes.
The JBL Go 4 is more portable, weighing 190g and being truly pocket-sized, while the Marshall Willen is larger at 310g but offers more stability when placed on surfaces.
The Marshall Willen has better overall sound quality with more balanced audio and higher power output (10W vs 4.2W), though the JBL Go 4 offers stronger bass response.
Yes, both speakers offer multi-speaker connectivity. The Willen has Stack Mode for connecting multiple Willens, while the Go 4 offers PartyBoost for connecting to other compatible JBL speakers.
The JBL Go 4 features newer Bluetooth 5.3 technology, while the Marshall Willen uses Bluetooth 5.1. However, the Willen can connect to two devices simultaneously.
Both speakers take approximately 3 hours for a full charge, but the Marshall Willen offers a quick-charge feature providing 3 hours of playback from a 20-minute charge.
Both are equally weather-resistant, but the Marshall Willen offers louder volume and longer battery life for extended outdoor use, while the JBL Go 4 is more convenient to carry.
Yes, both speakers have companion apps. The Marshall Willen uses the Marshall Bluetooth app with EQ adjustment, while the JBL Go 4 uses the JBL Portable app with EQ presets.
The JBL Go 4 offers better value at $44.00 for basic portable speaker needs, while the Marshall Willen at $59.99 justifies its higher price with better sound quality, longer battery life, and more features.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: rtings.com - ldlc.com - crutchfield.com - bestbuy.com - techgadgetscanada.com - manuals.plus - youtube.com - myxprs.com - bhphotovideo.com - target.com - aplaze.com - avstore.in - tomsguide.com - outeraudio.com - youtube.com - techradar.com - corporategift.com - jbl.com - target.com - dell.com - projectorscreen.com - mm.jbl.com
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